Whatnot support



NOV. 1961 A. G. MONElLL 3,008,585

WHATNOT SUPPORT Filed Jan. 26, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,008,585 WHATNOT SUPPORT Albert G. McNeill, Maple Glen, Pa, assignor to Bachmann Bros., Inc., Philadelphia, 'Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 85,135

8 Claims. (Cl; 211-90) This invention relates generally to supports, and is especially concerned with shelves of the type commonly known as what-nuts. 1 7

It is one object of the present invention to provide a what-not, shelf or support construction which is extremely versatile in use, the shelf elements proper being adapted for quick and easy selective vertical location within a. wide range to accommodate articles of various sizes, and wherein the device may be conformably mountedin the corner of. a room, or on a wall spaced from the corner, with equal esthetic attractiveness.

It is. a further object of the present invention to provide a whatnot construction adapted to be economically fabricated of plastic or other materials, as desired, which may be shipped and-stored in a knocked-down or disassembled condition, conveniently setup or erected by the ultimate consumer in a wide variety of arrangements, and which is further adapted, even after-assembly, for rearrangement and relocation of the parts to accommodate different sizes and shapes of articles, as well as the provision of additional elements for increasing the article-carrying capacity of the shelf construction.

More specifically, the instant invention contemplates the provision of a whatnot support or shelf which may be assembled without the use of permanent fastening means, for convenient disassembly or rearrangement, and which is expandable in permitting the quick and easy addition of elements to accommodate greater numbers of articles being supported.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a whatnot shelf construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is extremely simple in structure, requiring a minimum of parts, staunch and durable in use, and which can be economically manufactured and distributed,

for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to theaccompanying drawings, which form a material part ofthis' disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and oftwhich the-scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings: 7 FIGURE 1 is a top plan view showing a shelf construction of the present invention mounted inthe corner ofaroom; E

FIGURE 2 is a front'elevational view of the shelf of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3-is an enlarged horizontal 'sectionalview taken substantially along the-line 3-3 'of FIGURE 2;

,HG RLE'Z. ut's o' h fi t f GU ES and Z in operative association with the whatnot construction;

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view showing a whatnot construction of the present invention as mounted on a fiat supporting wall;

FIGURE 11.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1-5 thereof, the assembled whatnot support is there generally designatedl20, and includes one orm-orevertically elongate, upright members 21 and 21a and a plurality of generally horizontaLvertically superposed and spaced 1platelike members or shelves proper 23, 23a, 23b, and 230. The upright members: 21 and 21a may be substantially identical to eachother; and the plate-like shelf element-s 23, 23a, 23band 23c-rnayall be substantially identical'to each other. a Y

Theupright element 21 may be formed of a' single integral piece, say by molding of plastic, and may include a 'pair of substantially rectangular, generally vertical or upright walls '25 disposed normal to each other and meeting along a generally vertical or upright forward or outer edge 26. Thus, it will'be apparent that the walls 25 combine to define therebetween an internaldihedral angle of approximately ninety degrees. The upper regions 27 of thewalls 25 are offset rearward or inward, as by offsetting portions 28, a distance approximatelyequal to the thickness of each upstanding wall. As best seen in FIGURE 4, the offsetting portions 28 of the walls25 serve to define generally horizontal, upwardly facing ledges or shoulders; and further, the shoulders 28 of the pair of walls 25 arehorizontally coplanar with each other.

The remainder of each wall 25, i.e. the unrecessed or offset portion of each wall 25 below its offsetting portion or shoulder 28, maybe provided along its laterally outer vertical ed-ge remote from the meeting edge 26 with a vertically extending rib or bead 3'0 outstanding from the outer surface of the respective wall. 7 of eachinwardly offset or recessed wall portion 27 may the substantially flat; and, the inner or rearward surface of'each wall portion 27 may also be substantially flat, as

The outer surface Well as the inner or rearward surface of the remainder of each wall 25 being. substantially flat. Interiorly, the offsetting portions 28 define horizontally aligned, downtical alignment, as seenfrom the front of the upstanding member'21; andfurther, the individual slots 32 are of a horizontally elongate configuration, with the slots in one wall 25 in respective-horizontal alignment withrthe slots in the otherwall 25.- Whilethe'major portion or remainder of each wall 251's provided with a plurality of the slots 32, the offset portion 27 of each wall is formed with at least one of the slots 32, for purposes appearingpre'sently;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view on line 8+8 7 Extendinggenerally horizontally across and between the upper ends of wa1ls25, preferably formed integrally with the u'pper'edgesof wall portions 27, is a top wall 34, see FIGURES 1 and-4. The top wall3 4 rnay be of a substantially square configuration, tapering rearward beyond thelwalls 25 and their offset portions 27', and

terminating in a truncated or beveled rearward region, as best seen in FIGURE 1. Upstanding from the top wall 34 and extending along the rear bounding edges thereof, between the laterally outer or distal edges of wall portions 27, are a pair of apertured securement members or tabs 35, and an intermediate upstanding portion 36 extending laterally between the tabs 35 along the truncated rcarmost edge of the top wall.

It will now be understood that the upright element 21 is adapted to be located in vertical disposition in the corner of a room, as between supporting wall surfaces 37 in FIGURE 1 disposed normal to each other, with each wall 25 and its inwardly offset portion 27 outstanding from and normal to the adjacent room. wall and in substantially parallel, facing relation with the other room wall. Also, the securement tabs 35 are adapted for location in facing engagement with respective room walls 37, for reception of fasteners impaled in the supporting walls; and, the intermediate upstanding wall portion 36 affords added rigidity to the tabs 35 while being spaced from the meeting edge of walls 37 to accommodate irregularities therein.

The lower upstanding element 21a may be substantially identical in construction with the previously described upstanding element 21, so that the foregoing description will suffice. As best seen in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5, the lower upstanding element 21a is located in vertical alignment with the upstanding element 21 and the lower regions of walls 25 are in overlapping relation with the upper, inwardly offset regions 27a of the lower upstanding walls 25a, see FIGURE 5. In this condition, the lowermost openings or slots 32 of the upstanding element 21 are in registry with the uppermost openings or slots 32a of the upstanding element 21a.

The platelike members or shelf elements 23, 23a, 23b and 230 may all be substantially identical, so that a description of one will sufiice. The shelf element 23 may be generally flat and of a quandrantlike configuration, including a pair of forwardly divergent side edges 40, and an arcuate forward edge 41 extending between the forward ends of the side edges. The side edges 40 are disposed at approximately right angles to each other, and the vertex region of the shelf element 20 is cut away, as at 42, to leave a pair of tongues or extensions 43 extending into the cutout region, respectively generally parallel to and spaced inward from the side edges 40 and approximately normal to each other. Further, the platelike member or shelf element 23 may be provided along its forward, convexly arcuate edge 41 with a depending rib 44. Extending from each end of the arcuate nether rib 44, along a respective side edge 40 is a depending rib 45. The ribs 45 each extend rearward or inward to and terminate in a vertical edge 46 at the cutout 42.

In assembly, the shelf 23 is moved inward to frictionally engage the extensions or tongues 43 in respective openings or slots 32 of the Wall portions 27. In this condition, the bounding edge of shelf-element cutout 42 abuts against the forward surfaces of wall portions 27, and the end edges 46 of ribs 45 also abut against the forward surfaces of wall portions 27, to provide a firm frictional fit of shelf element 23 with upstanding element 21. It will be observed that the shelf-element edges 40 may be substantially'flush with the laterally outer edges of wall portions 27.

The next lower shelf element 23a is similarly frictionally interfitted with a lower horizontally aligned pair of slots 32, so as to be secured to the upstanding element 21 in substantial horizontal disposition spaced below the shelf element .23. It should be noted that the shelf element 23a, see FIGURES 1 and 4, when its tongues or extensions are .fully engaged in their receiving slots 32, is located slightly forwardof the shelf 23, a distance equal to .theoffset of upper wall portions 27. Thus, in connection with shelf element 23a, in addition to the rigidifying action of the shelf element in bearing engagement with the forward surfaces of walls 25, the side edges 40a and their ribs 45a may be engageable with the ribs 30 of the upstanding element 21 for even further reinforcement and rigidity.

The shelf 23b is located in the region of offset wal-l portions 27a and their overlapping lower portions of Walls 25. As best seen in FIGURE 5, the extensions or tongues 43b of shelf 2312 are frictionally engaged through the aligned slots 32 and 32a, to thereby both mount the shelf element 23b and securely connect the upstanding element 21a to its next-adjacent upper upstanding element 21.

Of course, additional shelves and upstanding elements may be assembled in the same manner. Also, the shelves may be rearranged in any selected adjacent pair of slots, as desired. Further, if it is preferred that the upstanding elements 21 and 21a be secured fast without a shelf element, as at 23b in FIGURE 5, this may be accomplished by employing fastener fittings 50, as in FIGURES 6 and 7.

The fastener fittings 50 may each include a generally fiat plate 51, which may have one end edge beveled as at 52, and is provided on one face thereof with an outstanding projection, extension or tongue 53. In use, a fitting 50 may have its extension or tongue 53 engaged rearwardly or inwardly through an aligned pair of openings or slots, such as 32 and 32a, until its face part 51 engages the forward or outer surface of the wall 25. The face part 51 may be of a length to have one edge 54 contiguous to the vertical rib 30, and have its opposite beveled edge 52 just engageable with the beveled edge 52 of an identical fastener fitting engaged in an adjacent horizontally aligned pair of registering slots 32 and 32a. By this means, a shelf need not be employed to connect a pair of vertically aligned upstanding elements, but the elements may be quickly, easily and detachably connected by the unobstructive fittings 50.

In addition to the vertically-aligned relation of up standing elements 21 and 21a shown in FIGURES 1-8, the upstanding elements may be arranged in side-by-side relation to define a whatnot support generally designated 60, which is especially well-adapted for suspension on a fiat supporting wall 61. In this arrangement, the upstanding elements 21 and 21a are each located with one securement tab 35 and 35a in facing engagement with the Wall 61, the other securement tabs 35 and 3511 being in facing engagement with each other. The securement tabs 35 and 35a facing the wall 61 may be secured thereto by a suitable fastened impaled in the Wall. Further, one Wall 25 and 25a of each upstanding element 21 and 21a has its vertical rib 30 and 30a contiguous to the wall 61 and extends outward therefrom substantially normal thereto. The other walls 25 and 25a have their edge ribs 30 and 30a in contiguous relation with each other, and are substantially coplanar, being spaced in facing relation with respect to the supporting wall 61. p

A pair of shelves 23 and 23a may have their extensions respectively engaged in the uppermost horizontally aligned pair of slots '32 and 32a of the walls 25 and 25a, respectively, for securement to the upstanding elements 21 and 21a. The shelves 23 and 23a will then be in substantial horizontal alignment with each other and combine to define a single shelf of approximately semicylindrical configuration having its diameter contiguous to the supporting wall 61. Similarly, additional shelves 23b and 230 may be detachably secured in position by frictional engagement of their extensions or tongues in selected horizontally aligned pairs of slots 32 and 32a.

Of course, the relative number, location and arrangement of shelves in the whatnot construction 60 may be varied as desired by the user.

As the shelves 23, 23a, 23b, and 23c are substantially fiat, they present no difficulties in storage, packaging and shipment, occupying relatively little space and serving to reinforce each other against damage by handling.

Further, as seen in FIGURES 12 and 13, a plurality of upstanding elements 21, 21a, 21b and 210 may be nested one within the other, so as to'occupy relatively little space for storage and shipment, and to provide a sturdy assemblage highly resistant to damage in transportation and handling.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a whatnot support which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is Well-adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, distribution, assembly and use. i

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications maybe made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A whatnot support comprising an upright member having a pair of upstanding walls meeting along an upstanding edge, said walls each being formed with a row of vertically spaced openings, a shelf having a pair of extensions removably insertable into a selected pair of openings of respective rows, and a second upright member having a pair of upstanding walls meeting along an upstanding edge and each wall being formed with a row of vertically spaced openings, said second upright member being adapted to be arranged with its walls in partially overlapped relation with respective walls of said firstnamed upright member with openings of said second upright member in registry with openings of said first upright member, for removable insertion of said shelf extensions into said registering openings.

2. A whatnot support according to claim 1, the overlapped portion of said second-named pair of walls being offset approximately equal to the thickness of said firstnamed pair of walls, whereby the remainder of said second-named pair of walls is substantiallyfiush with said first-named pair of walls.

3. A whatnot support according to claim 1, said firstand second-named pairs of walls being disposable in sideby-side relation, and a second shelf having a pair of extensions removably insertable into a selected pair of openings of respective rows of said second-named pair of walls for substantial horizontal alignment with said first-named shelf.

4. A whatnot support comprising a pair of generally upstanding walls meeting alonga generally upstanding edge and defining interiorly thereof a dihedral angle, said,

upstanding walls each beingformed with a row of vertically spaced openings with the openings of said rows being in respective horizontal alignment, a top wall extending laterally between the upper regions of said upstanding walls, a securement tab extending from said top wall for fastening to' a supporting surface, and a shelf having a pair of extensions removably insertable into a selected pair of openings of respective rows.

5. A whatnot support according to claim 4, said upstanding walls defining an internal dihedral angle of approximately ninety degrees and adapted for locations in the corner of a room with said internal dihedral angle facing toward the room corner.

6. A whatnot support according to claim 5, said shelf being generally quadrant-shaped for conforming engagement in a room corner and having its vertex portion cut out for receiving said upstanding walls, said extensions extending into said cutout vertex portion.

'7. A whatnot support according to claim 6, in combination with a second pair of generally upstanding walls meeting along a generally upstanding edge and defining interiorly thereof a dihedral angle of approximately ninety degrees, each of said second pair of upstanding walls being formed with :a row of vertically spaced openings, said second pair of upstanding walls being adapted to be arranged in partially overlapped relation with said first pair of upstanding walls with openings of said second pair of upstanding walls in registry with openings of said first pair of upstanding walls, for removable insertion of said shelf extensions into said registering openings.

8. A whatnot support according to claim 7, the overlapped portion of said second pair of upstanding walls being offset inward approximately the thickness of said first pair of upstanding walls, whereby the remainder of said second pair of walls is substantially flush exteriorly with said first pair of upstanding walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 169,480 Helfenbein May 5, 1953 1,920,028 Wilkin July 25, 1933 2,522,442 Garris Sept. 12, 1950 

